Attachable receptacle



May 2, 1961 F. H. BERLIN ATTACHABLE RECEPTACLE Filed Sept. 8, 1959INVENTOR. WW flat/m n, m {Zr-7} k W .wliiu...

A'ITACHABLE'RECEPTACLE Fred H. Berlin, 650 Dickie St., Elgin, n1.

Filed Sept. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 838,645

7 Claims. (Cl. 155-488) This invention relates to an improved utilityreceptacle which may be attached to, and positioned on, varioussupports. Although this invention will be described in connection withchairs, it will be understood that devices constructed in, accordancewith this invention may have a variety of uses with other articles offurniture or other supports. l

Quite often it is necessaryor very desirable to provide .a storage shelfor receptacle for use in association with a chair. Hereto-fore mostshelves and receptacles have been constructed as permanent parts ofchairs, benches attachment thereof to a chair.

It is another object of this invention to provide a receptable which maybe attached to chairs of many different shapes, designs andconstructions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a receptacle whichmay be easily attached to and removed from a chair and which isparticularly well adapted for use in connection with folding chairs.

"It is still another object of this invention to provide a receptaclewhich may be attached to a chair and fastened in various positions ofadjustment.

- It is still afurther object of this invention to provide a receptaclewhich maybe positioned on a chair in a convenient location on eitherside, the front, or the rear of the chair, p

It is still another objectof this invention to provide a convenient,attachable receptacle which may be easily and quickly attached to andadjustably positioned on many different designs of furniture.

Other objects will be seen and a fuller understanding of the inventionmay be had by referring to the following description and claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. i

This invention provides a receptacle device of ,novel construction foruse in combination with a chair or the likehaving a' plurality of spaceddepending legs. The receptacle may be adjustably positioned on the chairand. oriented so that the articles to be held therein are. ac-

. cesible selectively from the front, from the rear, and fro m the side.

In accordance with'one embodiment of this invention, the devicecomprises a receptacle with two supporting arms, and means for.adjustably connecting one end-of each of the arms to thereceptacle. Thearms have means thereon adjacent their outermost ends forreleasably gripping one of the depending legs of a chair, wherebythe receptacle may beadjustably mounted on and'oriented in various positions .with respect tothe chair. i Q One of the features .of this invention is the novel conti onl the supporting arrns which permit there- 2,982,344 Patented May2, 1961 ice ceptacle to be easily attached to any chair and oriented inits various positions.

Another feature of this invention is the meansfor independently andadjustably connecting the arms to the receptacle. This permits the easyadjustment of each arm separately and avoids the difiiculty whichordinarily accompanies the necessity for adjusting two elementssimultaneously. e

With reference to the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a side-elevation view of a chair showing a deviceconstructed in accordance with this invention mounted thereon; V

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the device looking from the sideopposite that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top-plan view of the device; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the means for independently and adjustablyconnecting the arms to the receptacle.

With further reference to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1,the receptacle device 10 may be conveniently used with and mounted on afolding chair 12. The chair 12 as shown is of tubular metal constructionand has a seat portion 13 and four depending legs 14, 15 16 and 17. Thedevice 10 includes a receptacle 22, supporting arms 24 and 26, and meanspreferably in the form of a threaded fastener 28 for adjustablyconnecting one end of each of the supporting arms to the receptacle 22.

The receptacle 22 is preferably a box constructed of a colorful plasticmaterial, which box is adapted to hold hymnals, song books, Sundayschool papers and lessons, or other similar articles. This box is openat one v end and may conveniently be provided with thumb recesses 29 inits sides adjacent the open end to facilitate the insettion and removalof books. An exterior protrusion 30 is molded integrally withone side ofthe receptacle (see Figs. 3 and 4.)

An internally threaded metal insert 32 is preferably embedded in theprotrusion 30, and this insert thus becomes in effect an integral partof the receptacle 22. This insert. is the preferred means for providingan internally threaded hole in the side of the receptacle 22, althoughit will be understood that there are various oth'er wellknown ways inwhich such a tapped hole may be provided. The purpose for this tappedhole will be hereinafter explained.

As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, supporting arms '24 and 26 areidentically constructed. Supporting arm 24 includes an elongate section34, a pair of gripping elements 36 and 38, and fastening meanspreferably in theform of a threaded fastener 40 pivotally connecting thegripping elements 36 and 38 to theelongate section 34. The elongatesection 34 of the supporting arm 24 comprises an. end element 42 a nd aconnector 43 threadably engaged therewith. The end element 42 is longand slender andhas 'a longitudinal slot 44 formed therein, and athreaded longitudinal extension 46 protruding therefrom.

The connector 43 includes a cylindriform internally threaded portion 48and a toothed clutch portion 50, Threaded portion 48 is threadablyconnected to the extension 46 of the elongate section 34, and thus thecom nector 43 may be rotatably and adjustably moved about the axis ofextension 46.' A set screw 49 may be pro vided to maintain the connector43 and end element 42 in the desired position relative to one another.Asbest seen in Fig. 3, clutch portion 50 is substantially circular, anda hole is centrally located therein, the axis of the hole being normalto the axis of the cylindriform portion 48 and of end element 42.

t y, direction normal to the plane of the surface 50%;

. 3 The gripping element 36 includes a jaw portion 52 which ispreferably curved or semi-cylindrical and a clutch portion 54, which isconnected to the jaw portion 52 by a linking arm 55. The clutch portion54 of this gripping element is substantially circular. The exteriorsurface 54a of clutch portion 54 is substantially flat or planar, andthe opposite or interior surface 54b is toothed and adapted to mate withthe toothed surface 50b of the clutch portion of connector 43. The teethon surface 54b thus are disposed radially and protrude outwardly in adirection substantially normal to the planar exterior surface of theclutch portion 54. A holeis located centrally in clutch portion 54 andextends perpendicular to the axis of the jaw portion 52. Atransverseslot 55a is provided in linking arm 55 adjacent clutch portionThe gripping element 38 includes a jaw portion 56 and an inwardlyextending flange portion '58, which is connected to the jaw portion 56by a linking arm 60. The flange portion 58 of this gripping elementadapted to mate with the transverse slot 55a, and the linking arms 55and 60 are releasably interconnected by means 'ofa threaded fastener 62,the axis of which extends parallel to the centrally located holes in theclutch portions 50 and 54 of the connector 43 and the gripping element36, respectively.

Threaded fastener 40, which pivotally connects the clutch portions ofthe gripping element 36 and the connector 43, includes a bolt 40a and anut 40b. Bolt 40a extends through the aligned holes in the clutchportions, and with these holes oriented as illustrated and described,the gripping elements are pivotally movable about threaded fastener 40in the plane of the axis of curvature of the jaw portions. The head ofbolt 40a bears against the planar exterior surface 50a of the clutchportion 50 on the connector 43, and the nut 40b bears against theexteri'or surface 54a of the clutch portion 54 on the gripping element36. When the threaded fastener 40 is tightened, it will be seen that theclutch portions 54 and 50 of the gripping element 36 and the connector43, respectively, are forced tightly into interengagement. Grippingelement 36 is thus locked in position with respect to connector 43, andthe gripping elements 36 and 38 are locked together and forced inwardlytoward each other by means of threaded fastener 62 in conjunction withthe mating of flange portion 58 and transverse slot 55a. The jawportions 52 and 56thus tightly grip leg 15 of the chair. The curved orsemi-cylindrical configuration of the jaw portions 52 and 56substantially conform to the configuration of the tubular leg 15 of thechair. Other configurati'ons may be easily formed in these jaw portionsto facilifate the mating of these portions with the leg structure of-the chair. With the chair leg firmly gripped by jaw portions 52 and 56,the arm 24 is rigidly connected to the chair.

The supporting arm 26, which is identical in construction with arm 24,comprises an elongate section 64, a pair of gripping elements 66 and 68,and a fastening means preferably in the form of a threaded fastener 70pivotally connecting the gripping elements 66 and 68 to the elongatesection 64.

The elongate section 64 includes an end element 72 and a connector 73. Alongitudinal slot 74 formed in the end element 72 corresponds to thelongitudinal slot 44 in the end element 42 of supporting arm 24. Theconnector 73 includes a cylindriform, internally threaded portion 78 anda toothed clutch portion 80. The portion 78 is threadably connected to alongitudinal extension 76 of the end element 72, and the connector maybe rotatably and adjustably moved about the axis of the extension 76 andof the end element 72. A set screw 79 permits connector 73 to be in thedesired position with respect to end element 72.. Clutch portion 80 issubstantially circular and hasa central hole located-therein, the axisofwhich is substantially normal to the axis of the cylindriform 4 portion78 and to the axis of end element 72. The interior surface of the clutchportion is toothed.

The gripping element 66 includes a jaw portion 82, which is preferablycurved or semi-cylindrical, and a toothed clutch portion 84 connected tothe jaw portion by a linking arm 85. The clutch portion 84 is adapted tomate with the clutch portion on connector 73 and this clutch portioncorresponds to the clutch portion 54 of the gripping element 36 on thesupporting arm 24 and has a hole therein, the axis of which isperpendicular to the exterior surface thereof and to the axis ofcurvature of the jaw portion 82. A transverse slot 85a is provided inlinking arm 85 adjacent clutch portion 84.

The opposite gripping element 68 on arm 26 includes a curved orsemi-cylindrical jaw portion 86 and an inwardly extending flange portion88, which is connected to the jaw portion 86 by a linking arm 90. Theflange portion is adapted to mate with the transverse slot 85a, and thelinking arms 85 and 90 are releasably interconnected by means of athreaded fastener 92 corresponding to threaded fastener 62 on thesupporting arm 24.

The threaded fastener 70, which pivotally interconnects the clutchportions of the gripping element 66 and the connector 73, includes abolt 70a and a nut 70b. The bolt extends through the aligned holes inthe clutch portions 84 and 80 of the gripping element 66 and theconnector 73, respectively. The threaded fastener 70, when tightened,forces the clutch portions of the gripping element 66 and the connector73 together, resulting in the intermeshing of the teeth on these clutchportions.

Means is provided for adjustably connecting the arms 24 and 26 to thereceptacle 22. For this purpose, a threaded fastener 28 of specialdesign is employed. This threaded fastener includes an externallythreaded stud 94 adapted to threadably engage the insert 32 which ismolded into the wall of receptacle 22. Stud 94 has a disk or washer 96rigidly aflixed to its mid-portion. When stud 94 is threaded into insert32, disk 96 rotates with the stud and is moved with the portions of thestud toward and away from the wall of receptacle 22. As best illustratedin Figs. 3 and 4, disk 96 is disposed between the end elements 42 and 72of arms 24 and 26, respectively, and the stud 94 extends through theslots 44 and 74. Stud 94 is provided with a slot 94a in its outer end,and the stud may thus be rotatably manipulated by means of screw driver.End element 42 is thus clamped in position between disk 96 andprotrusion 30 on the wall of conminer 22 when 'stud 94 is tightened.

In order to clamp end element 72 of arm 26 in position with respect toreceptacle 22, a suitable internally threaded nut-like knob 98 isprovided. This knob threadably engages the outer portion of stud 94 andis threadably movable on the stud toward and away from disk 96 torespectively clamp and release the end element of the arm 26. It may beseen that the threaded fastener 28 is capable of separately locking thesupporting arms 24 and 26 to receptacle 22. This permits the arms to beeasily positioned and adjusted and avoids the difiiculty whichordinarily accompanies the necessity for adjusting two elementssimultaneously. When the end sections of the supporting arms arereleased by threaded fastener 28, they may be rotated in the desiredposition about the axis of stud 94, and they may be moved axiallybetween the limits of their respective slots.

The arms are rotatably adjustable also at the juncture between the endelement and the connector. If, for example, it is desired thatreceptacle 22 open toward the side of the chair in Fig. 1, set screws 49and 79 may be loosened, and the receptacle needs only to be tilted intothe desired position and re-fastened. If it is desired to have thereceptacle open rearwardly or frontwardly, threaded fastener 28 may bereleased, and the box pivoted into the desired position, whereupon thethreaded "fastener would be re-tightened. The pivotal adjustment betweenthe-connector and the gripping elements on each arm permits thereceptacle to be'mounted on'almost any conceivable design of chair ortable, or other article. The device is extremely universal in itsapplication and may be adapted to a number of uses. The device may .beeasily disassembled for storage or shipment. Arms 24 and 26 may beremoved by removing knob 98 and stud 94. The end elements 42 and 72 maybe threadably uncoupled from their connectors 43 and 73, respectively.The clamping elements may be separated fromv the respective connectorsby removal of the respective threaded fasteners 40 and 70. 7 Althoughthe invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity,it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by wayof example and that many modifications and changes in various detailsmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is: I 1.. A device for use in combinationwith a chair orthe like having a plurality of spaced, depending legs, said devicecomprising a receptacle; atleast one supporting arm including anelongate, longitudinally extending, slotted element, a connector havinga toothed clutch portion, said connector being joined to said slottedelement and pivotally movable about the axis thereof,'a pair of grippingelements having cooperating jaw portions for gripping a depending leg ofthe chair, at least one of said gripping elements having a toothedclutch portion adapted to mate with the toothed clutch portion of saidconnector, and fastening means for pivotally connecting said grippingelements to said connector with the toothed clutch portions thereofjuxtaposed and for releasably locking said clutch portions together,whereby said gripping elements and said connector may be maintained in apre-selected position of pivotal adjustment; and means for adjustablyconnecting the elongate, slotted element to, said receptacle, wherebysaid receptacle may be attached to and positioned on the chair.

2. A device for use in combination with a chair or the like having aplurality of spaced, depending legs, said device comprising areceptacle; atleast one supporting arm including an elongate,longitudinally extending, slotted element, a connector having a toothedclutch portion, said connector being joined to said slotted element andpivotally movable about the axis thereof, a pair of gripping elementshaving cooperating jaw portions for gripping 2. depending leg of thechair, at least one of said gripping elements having a toothed clutchportion adapted to mate with the toothed clutch portion of saidconnector, and fastening means pivotally connecting said grippingelements to said connector for movement about an axis transverse to theaxis of said slotted element with the toothed clutch portions of saidconnector and said gripping element juxtaposed, said fastening meansbeing eifective to releasably lock said clutch portions together and toforce the cooperating jaw portions of said gripping elements closed,whereby said gripping elements and said connector may be maintained in apre-selected position of pivotal adjustment and the jaw portions mayfirmly grip a depending leg of the chair; and means for adjustablyconnecting the elongate, slotted element to said receptacle, Wherebysaidreceptacle may be attached to and positioned on the chair. c a

3. A device for use in combination with a chair or the like having aplurality of spaced, depending legs,

means for pivotally connecting said gripping'elements to said connectorand for selectively locking said gripping elements and said connector ina pre-selected position of pivotal adjustment; [and means foradjustablyyandgin said supporting arms to said receptacle, whereby saidreceptacle may be attached to and positioned on the chair.

' element and pivotally movable about the axis thereof, a I Vdependently connecting the elongate, slotted element of each of saidsupporting arms to said receptacle, whereby said receptacle may beattached to and positioned on the chair; saidadjustable connecting meansincluding a threaded stud extending outwardly from said receptaclethrough the slotted element of each supporting arm, and two enlargedbearing elements mounted on said stud, the firstof said bearing elementsbeing disposed intermediate said slotted elements and movable toward andaway from said receptacle to selectively clamp one of said slottedelements therebetween, the second of said bearing elements beingdisposed outwardly from said first bearing element and movable towardandaway from said first bearing element to selectively clamp the other ofsaid slotted elements therebetween. v-

4. A device for use in combination with'a chairor. the like having aplurality of spaced, depending legs, said: device comprising areceptacle; two supporting, arms, each having an elongate,longitudinally slotted element, a connector having a toothed clutchportion, said con nector being joined to said slotted element andpivotally movable about the axis thereof, a pair of gripping elementshaving cooperative jaw portions for gripping a depending leg of thechair, at least one of said gripping elements having a toothed clutchportion adapted to mate with the toothed clutch portion of saidconnector, and fastening means pivotally connecting said grippingelements to said connector for movement about an axis transverse to theaxis of said slotted element, the toothed clutch portions of saidconnector and said one gripping element being juxtaposed, said fasteningmeansv being eifectivetto releasably lock said clutch portions togetherand to force the cooperating jaw portions of said gripping elementsclosed, whereby said gripping elements and said connector may bemaintained in a pre-selected position of pivotal adjustment and the jawportions may firmly grip the depending chair leg; and means for'adjustably and independently connecting the elongate, slotted ele mentof each of said supporting arms to said receptacle, whereby saidreceptacle may be attached to and positioned on the chair; saidadjustable connecting means including a threaded stud extendingoutwardly from said receptacle through the slotted element of eachsupporting arm, and two enlarged bearing elements mounted on said stud,the first of said bearing elements being fixed on said stud and disposedintermediate said slotted elements and movable with said stud toward andaway from said receptacle to selectively clamp one of said slottedelements therebetween, the second of said bearing elements beingdisposed outwardly from said first bearing element and threadablymovable on said stud toward and away from said first bearing element toselectively clamp the other of said slotted elements therebetween.

5. A device for use in combination with a chair or the like having aplurality of spaced, depending legs, said device comprising areceptacle; two supporting arms each including an elongate,longitudinally slotted element, a connector joined to said slottedelement and pivotally movable about the axis thereof, a pair of grippingelements for gripping a depending leg of the chair, and means forpivotally connecting said gripping elements to said connector and forselectively locking said gripping elements and said connector inpreselected positions of pivotal adjustment; and means for adjustablyand independently connecting the elongate, slotted element of each ofvice comprising a receptacle two supporting arms, each including anelongate element, a connector joined to said pair of gripping elementsfor gripping a depending leg of the chair, and, means for pivotallyconnecting said gripping element to said connector and'for selectivelylocking said gripping elements and said connector in a preselectedposition of pivotal adjustment; and means for adjustably andindependently connecting the elongate element of each of said supportingarms to said receptacle, whereby said receptacle may be attached to andpositioned on the chair; said adjustable connecting means including athreaded stud extending outwardly from said receptacle, and two bearingelements, one of said bearing elements being disposed intermediate saidelongate elements and movable toward and away from said receptacle toselectively clamp one of said elongate elements therebetween, the secondof said bearing elements being disposed outwardly from said firstbearing element and movable toward and away from said first bearingelement to selectively clamp the other of said elongate elementstherebetween.

7. A device for use in combination with a chair or the like having aplurality of spaced, depending legs, said device comprising areceptacle; two supporting arms, each having an elongate element, aconnector having a toothed clutch portion, said connector being joinedto said elonman;

gate element and pivotally movable about the axis thereof, a pair ofgrippingelements having cooperating jaw portions for gripping adepending leg of the chair, at least one of said gripping elementshaving a toothed clutch portion adapted to mate with the toothed clutchportion of said connector, and fastening means for pivotally connectingsaid gripping elements to said connector with the toothed clutchportions thereof juxtaposed and for releasably locking said clutchportions together, whereby said gripping elements and said connector maybe maintained in a preselected position of pivotal adjustment; and meansfor adjustably and independently connecting said elongate elements tosaid receptacle, whereby said receptacle may be attached to andpositioned on the chair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS393,649 Kirkpatrick Nov. 27, 1888 1,266,367 Wilson May 14, 19181,754,929 Atticks et al. Apr. 15, 1930 2,737,361 Petzke Mar. 6, 1956

